Permit & Inspections Division

When are permits required?

If your plans involve structural changes, electrical or plumbing work, pouring concrete, installing a hot tub/spa or fence, constructing a deck, putting up a shed or swimming pool, replacing your water heater, furnace or a/c unit, please contact the Community Development Department to discuss your plans. We'll be happy to advise you about permit regulations. Call in the early planning stages to avoid any unnecessary delays. An advantage of getting a permit is that it alerts the city to your construction, which in turn brings you the services of the building inspector.

Permit Requirements
Submitting Construction Documents for Residential Projects:

• TWO (2) Plat of Surveys showing proposed construction.
• THREE (3) sets of construction plans showing compliance with City codes indicating
  all building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work as applicable. All plans must be legible and drawn to scale. Plans should be of architectural quality with sufficient detail to demonstrate code compliance and to guide construction. State law or the Plan Reviewer will determine whether or not the plans will be required to be signed and sealed by an architect and/or structural engineer licensed by the State of Illinois. Please refer to building handouts for specific drawing requirements.
• All applicable permit applications completed with the following information. Faxed applications and bonds are not acceptable:
  • Name & address of project
  • Real estate index number
  • Valuation (cost of construction)
  • Owner or Agent for Owner's Name & Signature
  • Contractor Listing complete with license and bond if applicable

   

The Permit Process

• Submit a completed permit application(s) with all the necessary information attached. (i.e. plans, plats, etc.) Refer to the specific application information packet for instructions. Any additional, pertinent information should be addressed in a cover letter with your application submittal. Copies of your contractors' bonds and licenses should also be submitted at this time.
• The plans are then put into the system and reviewed for zoning and code compliance. There may be more than one review of your plans (building, mechanical, plumbing, zoning, etc.).
• If your plans were not approved, you will receive a call to advise you that a written plan review is ready for pick-up. There will be no charge at this time. You should review the questions from the plan reviewer and address the points with revised plans. Any revision to the plans should be clearly marked or highlighted and be accompanied with a cover letter explaining any changes made and/or answering any questions. Your cover letter should reference the owner(s) name, job address and plan review number. Once you resubmit your revised plan the process will continue as explained above until your plans are approved.
• When the plans are approved, you will get a call advising you that your permit is ready and you will be advised of the permit fees. If any contractors have not yet been licensed or bonded as required, you will be notified at this time. All required bonds and licenses must be on file with us prior to permit issuance.
• Payment is due at the time the permit is issued. In addition to cash or check, the City accepts MasterCard, Visa and Discover credit cards.
• At permit issuance you will receive your permit, a placard for display on the job site as well as a copy of the approved plans, which must remain on the job site at all times.
• After the permit has been issued you may begin construction. Call our office for the appropriate inspections as the work progresses or you may use our website for inspection requests.
• Upon completion of the project and after you pass all the required final inspections, the refundable bond (if any) will be refunded to you.

Normal first review turn-around time for a permit application is:

• 5 days for residential accessory uses (garages, pools, etc.)
• 10 days for new residential and residential additions and commercial alterations
• 15 days for new commercial and industrial buildings.

 

Building Codes & Links | When do I need a Permit? | Applications, Licenses & Forms | Inspection Information| Most Common Construction Errors | Tips to Avoid Home Repair Fraud | Contractor Licensing | Fee Schedule | On-Line Inspection Request Form

Building Codes & Links | When do I need a permit?| Applications, Licenses & Forms | Inspection Information | Most Common Construction Errors | Contractor Licensing | Tips to Avoid Home Repair Fraud | Fee Schedule | On-Line Inspection Request Form